Self Portrait - A Western Avenue Studio 326 Challenge

Challenges..........challenges!  This painting began as a challenge activity between my studio mates at Western Avenue in Studio 326.  We were all to create a self portrait in the medium of our choice. Some did sketches in pencil or pen, some in water colors, and some of us in oils.  Portrait painting is a difficult task and one that I learned a great deal from.  Most artists at some time or other in their career attempt a self portrait. I was reluctant to post this at the risk of readers thinking that I am vain, however, I was encouraged by friends to do so.  I do think that the painting looks somewhat like me and is a fair for a first attempt at figurative painting.  Looking at it makes me want to turn back the hands of time.......but what is, is!  With this post I have caught up with my posts after a long hiatus from this blog.  It does show that I have been working in the studio painting even though I was not blogging.  I really enjoy sharing a studio with other painters for the comraderie, constructive criticism, and fun afforded by activities such as this one.

Kimball Farms Antique Ice Cream Truck

Another of my summer paintings, this painting was the final result of what began as a day of Plein Air
painting in late August.  The truck  is an antique ice cream truck from the local ice cream stand that has been a fixture of life in Westford, MA for many years.  The painting was finally finished in my studio from pictures taken on location.  Another challenging subject for me to paint was this vehicle. I am relatively pleased with this painting which is available.  If you are interested contact me.

Art Teacher Wins State House Christmas Card Contest

           In November members of our open studio group were invited to the State Archives Building on Morrisey Boulevard in Boston to celebrate Marie Stabile's award as the winner of the 2010 State House Christmas Card Contest.  For the past two and one half years Marie has been my teacher and mentor as I paint with the Cameron Senior Center Open Studio Artists every Monday afternoon.  The pictures in this post are of Marie receiving this award from Secretary of State William Galvin,  Marie Stabile and long time friend and artist Janet Lambert Moore who was last year's award winner, members of the open studio art group, and of course the award winning painting. 

Farmer's Market 2010

As I promised in a previous post I have again statrted to post to this blog.  The painting on the left is a 16X20 oil that I painted last summer of the Farmer's Market. I am pleased with the results since the challenge for me was the multiple figures and the many tent angles.  This painting is available and is now hanging in my studio at Western Avenue.